A FORMER Southampton mayor has recalled the day he met the Queen as part of his duties.

Patrick Allan met Queen Elizabeth more than a quarter of a century ago as she left the city's docks to board the Royal Yacht Britannia.

As the Queen prepares to celebrate her 80th birthday tomorrow, Mr Allan - a city alderman - is also looking forward to celebrating the completion of his eighth decade in August.

Mr Allan, a former Labour councillor for the Redbridge ward, served as the city's mayor in 1980.

During his time in office he was called on to greet the Queen and Prince Phillip as they stepped off the Royal Train before embarking on a tour on board the Royal Yacht.

Mr Allan, of Shirley, recalled how he and his wife Brenda met the royal party accompanied by local dignitaries at Southampton Terminus.

The red carpet was then rolled out as the royal couple stepped from the gleaming locomotive.

He said: "My wife presented the Queen with some flowers. You line up in Southampton Terminus station and up comes the Royal Train and out she steps.

"She then met the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor and Sheriff. I was both Mayor and Sheriff so both myself and my wife got to meet her twice."

He added: "We wished her a good trip. She said she was sure she would have one."

Mr Allan praised the Queen for her resilience and her ability to adapt to a changing world during her long reign.

He said: "Of course, I wish her many happy returns of the day for this week.

"There have been so many changes but she seems to cope quite well.

"Some of the changes I think she may never have wanted in the first place.

"The House of Lords is more representative of the people and I am sure she was used to seeing her friends there.

"But times change and she has changed with them."